Art Deco

The Art Deco Department regularly showcases French decorative arts of the first half of the 20th century by highlighting furniture, art objects, luminaires, carpets, elements of architecture and sculptures.

In 2005, following the impetus of François Tajan, Deputy CHairman, a department entirely devoted to the speciality of Art Deco is created with the assistance of Sabrina Dolla, Cécile Tajan and the Cabinet d’expertise Marcilhac (Consulting firm). This great specialisation has allowed the Artcurial department to impose itself as a key player amongst collectors from around the world.Meticulously selected for their aesthetic quality as well as for their prestigious and historical provenance, objects of collection include certain pieces never before presented on the market, particularly sought after by collectors. The department has become the beacon of the market sector, every season abuzz with the anticipation of rediscovery.

The department was a major contributor to the rediscovery and to the auction success of three major pieces including « La conquête du cheval » by Jean Dunand, sold for €361,400 in 2014 or the vase « Trois figures d’hommes » by René Lalique, sold for €282,000 in May 2016.
In May 2017, the department represented 3 pieces that where never before seen on the market. A « Bilboquet » lamp by Alberto Giacometti which reached €294,000, a Jean Chauvin sculpture, a unique piece from the Jacques Doucet collection which sold for the record price of €195,000 and a lacquered wood panel by Jean Dunand, sold by the artist’s family which reached €136 500 including fees.

The team also distinguished itself on the market with their expertise, with monographic sales devoted to the major artists of the period such as Alberto and Diego Giacometti, Jacques Quinet or Louis Sognot as well as thematic sales based on 1920’s modernism.

Artcurial also held auctions of significant Art Deco style collections with the Félix Marcilhac collection which totalled nearly € 25 million in 2014.

The Department currently organises four annual sales, alternating prestigious sessions and intermediate sales, allowing all types of collectors to ease into Art Deco collecting.